Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise today to speak on an issue that one of our honourable colleagues raised in this House since we started session, and it's in the area of dental work and travel associated with that, Mr. Speaker. I know that, for example, all the approvals and the programming that is set up is set up by the federal government, and it was pulled back from this government a couple of years ago. People have to now see the dentist and have some work done and there are pictures and so on; X-rays are sent to government people in Ottawa to approve or disapprove of certain work.

But, Mr. Speaker, we're finding ourselves in an increasingly more difficult position when a dentist cannot do certain work in a community; that being some oral surgery and the dentist says we cannot provide it. I've got an example in Inuvik, Mr. Speaker, where an individual has gone in and said they cannot do the work in Inuvik, and as well cannot be referred here to Yellowknife because they're unable to do that surgery here. So the next place would be in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mr. Speaker, when that person is told this is what can be done, they go to start following through with it and they find out that surgery can be done in Edmonton but that individual will have to be responsible for the flight out. Mr. Speaker, it is already difficult in the Northwest Territories to travel around with the cost of travelling. So knowing that that issue has been raised and the Member has asked the Minister in this House to look at it, I would also like to add my support behind that initiative as to what can we do for our residents in the Northwest Territories when all the support service in the North say that we can't do it in the North and we must do it in another jurisdiction but it is on their own tab.

Mr. Speaker, somebody in Ottawa might think that a pearly white smile is just for movie stars, but in fact, Mr. Speaker, when somebody's mouth starts to deteriorate and requires surgery, then I think that's something a little more serious than having to tell them that maybe we can pull your teeth. In fact, even in this situation, because this situation is serious, pulling the teeth would still not be done in the community of Inuvik. The dentists have said they can't do that. So, Mr. Speaker, I will have appropriate questions for the appropriate Minister. Thank you.

---Applause